Showing papers on "Lubrication theory published in 1973"

A Hydrodynamic Theory of Radial-Face Mechanical Seals

Abstract: The existence of a lubricating fluid film between the faces of a mechanical seal has been amply demonstrated, but the mechanisms of lubrication and sealing have yet to be convincingly established. Experimental evidence to show that mechanical seal faces are most probably lubricated by a hydrodynamic action induced by the waviness of one of the surfaces has recently been published by the authors. Following this work a modified form of the narrow bearing approximation to Reynolds' equation for hydrodynamic lubrication has been applied to an idealized wavy faced seal. The resulting theory of seal face lubrication has been extended to include radial flows in the fluid film and predicts a net inward flow of fluid which may be utilized to oppose the flow due to the sealed fluid pressure. Predicted lubrication and sealing characteristics are in substantial agreement with measured values. It is suggested that the performance of mechanical seals can be improved by giving one face an appropriately wavy surface at t...

Application of the Hydrogen-Bubble Technique for Velocity Measurements in Thin Liquid Films

Abstract: A unique adaptation of the hydrogen-bubble flow visualization method was applied to measure velocity profiles and film thicknesses of very thin films on an inclined plane wall. Data were obtained in the three flow regions for a developing falling film with an initially uniform velocity profile and thickness less than or equal to 0.1 in. The measured profiles compared more favorably with parabolic profiles in the intermediate fully developed region than in the initial developing region. However, measured film thicknesses compared favorably with a simplified solution of the integral momentum equation based on parabolic velocity profiles. The results confirm the theoretical prediction that a relatively long distance may be required even for a thin film before nonaccelerating flow with a constant film thickness is obtained and Nusselt's classical analysis applies. The experimental technique was shown to be a practical experimental method for obtaining data for the two-dimensional laminar flow of thin liquid films.